United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Provides that it shall be unlawful for any business enterprise or person acting on behalf or in the interest of a business enterprise to coerce, or attempt to coerce, by economic means another person, to fail to do business with, or to otherwise discriminate against any U.S. person, or any foreign person with respect to its activities in the United States, by reason of: (1) the religion, race, national origin, or sex of such U.S. or foreign person; or (2) direct or indirect support for any foreign government when such support is not in violation of U.S. laws. Prescribes a penalty of a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for not more than three years, or for violation of such provision. Prescribes a fine not to exceed $1,000,000 if the violator is any person other than an individual. Allows any person aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition against economic coercion to bring a suit in an appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy. States that such person may recover threefold actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Permits the Attorney General to institute an action in an appropriate district court to collect a civil penalty against any person who practices prohibited economic coercion. States that the penalty shall not exceed $50,000 if imposed upon an individual, or not more than $500,000 if imposed upon any person other than an individual. Makes it unlawful for a person to violate this Act by exercising coercion through a foreign government or a business enterprise not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. States that whoever violates such provision shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50,000 if an individual, or not to exceed $500,000 if any person other than an individual. Defines terms used in this Act, including "persons", and states that such term shall include a corporation, trust, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, fund, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Congressional Public Financing Act - Adds a new subtitle to the Internal Revenue Code: the Congressional Election Campaign Fund Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund a separate account to be known as the Congressional Election Payment Account. Directs the Secretary to deposit into the Congressional Election Payment Account that portion of the annual amounts designated by taxpayers on their income tax returns that equals the excess above 25 percent of the total amount made available in the last Presidential election. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to conduct an examination and audit of the campaign contributions raised for purposes of obtaining matching funds and the qualified campaign expenditures made by all candidates for Federal office and official political party committees who received payments under this Act. Provides criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for payments of funds in amounts matching the contributions received by candidates for the office of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative. Imposes limitations on the amounts of such funds to be disbursed to any individual candidate, and restricts the uses to which such matching funds may be put.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
Directs the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975, to organize and convene a national conference to be known as the National Women's Conference. Sets forth the composition and goals of the Conference. Grants the Commission powers necessary to carry out this Act. Requires that the Commission submit a report to the President and each House of Congress not later than 120 days after the conclusion of the conference. States that such report shall include findings and recommendations of the Conference. Authorizes the appropriation of not more than $10,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should seek specific guarantees and commitments for unhampered movement of persons, information, and ideas before agreeing to any declaration or statement of principles presented at the European Security Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1975
Provides, under the Freedom of Information Act, that any employee in the Federal competitive service who (1) discloses any information to any person which an agency is required to make available to the public; or (2) discloses, pursuant to a lawfully authorized written request made by a Member of Congress, to that Member any information may not be subject on account of such disclosure to discipline through dismissal, demotion, transfer, suspension, reprimand, admonishment, reduction-in-force, or other adverse personnel action or the threat thereof. Provides that whenever an officer or employee of an agency violates this Act, an aggrieved individual may bring a civil action against the agency and the officer or employee. Stipulates that the taking of an adverse personnel action against any individual who discloses information under this Act, if brought within one year after such disclosure, shall establish a presumption that such action was brought against such employee on account of such disclosure. States that the burden is on the agency to rebut such presumption. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 552 (f))
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Provides that pension or annuity plans to qualify for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code shall provide for payments to the participant's survivor beginning on the earliest date that the participant could have collected annuity benefits under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments - Title I: Purposes, Definitions, and National Policy for Managing the Resources of the Outer Continental Shelf - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) establish policies and procedures for managing the oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in order to achieve national economic goals; (2) preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf; (3) encourage development of new and improved technology for energy resource production that will increase human safety and eliminate or reduce risk of environmental damage; and (4) assure that coastal States which are directly impacted by oil and natural gas exploration and development are provided with an opportunity to take part in policy and planning decisions. Title II: Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Revises bidding and lease administration provisions under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Provides for the orderly development of oil and gas leases and requires that no geological and geophysical exploration shall take place in the Outer Continental Shelf without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designed to obtain sufficient data and information to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. States that the Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for determining the areas to be considered for exploratory drilling and potential leasing. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purposes $200,000,000 during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Requires the Secretary to transmit a leasing and development plan to Congress at least 90 calendar days prior to announcing the invitation to bid on each tract in which oil or gas is found in commercial quanties. Provides that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered the "lead agency" for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the Environmental Policy Act as such Act pertains to the implementation of this Act. Requires that the environmental impact statements include such information as: (1) the probable impact of the proposed exploration or development on the marine coastal environments; and (2) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed exploration or development. Makes provisions for the development, promulgation, and enforcement of safety regulations for operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires that the Coast Guard make regular inspections and strictly enforce the safety regulations. States that any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Allows citizen suits by persons having an interest which is, or may be, adversely affected. Permits civil actions against any person, including the United States, and against the Secretary of the Interior where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary. Provides that any person is in charge of any oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, for failure to immediately notify an appropriate agency of the U.S. Government of a discharge or spillage of oil. Authorizes, for the purpose of removing a discharge or spilling, the withdrawal of money available in the Offshore Oil Pollution Settlements Fund established pursuant to this Act. Imposes on each barrel of oil produced pursuant to any lease issued or maintained under this Act a fee of two and a half cents per barrel to pay costs of administration of this Act. Provides that collection of amounts for the fund shall cease when $100,000,000 has been accumulated, but shall be renewed when the accumulation in the fund falls be renewed when the accumulation in fund falls below $85,000,000. Provides that immediately upon the date of enactment of this Act, there shall cease any additional leasing of tracts for the purpose of developing oil and gas under the authority of the Older Continental Shelf Lands Act in all regions and areas where there has been no previous development of oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf or other areas where geological or environment conditions make such development hazardous. States that such moratorium shall continue until a specified time. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires that the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and publish a report with recommendations for achieving an equitable system of lease sales while maximizing production and revenues from the leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands. Provides that the Secretary also shall study the most appropriate means of developing a National Strategic Energy Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Defense Economic Adjustment Council to be composed of Cabinet members and Directors of government agencies. Specifies the duties of the Council, including the duty to assist communities, industries, and employees which may be substantially and seriously affected to make adjustment to closure and reduction of bases or cancellation or reduction of defense contracts. Title II: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Authorizes the Council to allocate economic development funds appropriated to Federal agencies to communities which would be substantially affected by reduction or elimination of Government military facilities or curtailment or conclusion of military contracts. Title III: Industrial Economic Adjustment - Requires defense contractors to undertake planning and preparation for the employment of the personnel and utilization of the facilities employed on a contract after its completion. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to provide assistance to defense and nonprofit contractors on conversion to nondefense industry, and appropriates $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for such purpose. Specifies the criteria for assigning priorities among economic projects applying for support under this Act. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Fund - Requires payment to the Council of one-half of one percent of the amount of any defense contract for funding of the Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund to be established in the Treasury. Provides for the return of unexpended moneys of a contractor in the fund if all of his obligations under this Act have been discharged and he has not contracted with the Federal Government to furnish defense materials within 24 months. Title V: Economic Adjustment Assistance For Workers - Provides for the payment of economic adjustment benefits for workers or nonprofit contractors who have been displaced from private defense facilities for 2 years following such displacement. Provides that such assistance shall include up to 80 percent of weekly wages, maintenance of insurance coverages, vested pension credit, and retraining. Conditions the eligibility of workers for such benefits upon maintenance of registration with the Secretary of Labor and an agreement to accept employment determined by the Secretary of Labor to be suitable.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Expresses congressional disapproval of sales to Jordan of the Hawk missile and Vulcan antiaircraft systems as proposed by the President on July 10, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1975
Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purposes of this Act to make State and local government budget-related actions more consistent with Federal government efforts to stimulate national economic recovery; to enhance the stimulative effect of a Federal government income tax reduction; and to enhance the job-creation impact of Federal govenment public service employment programs. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make emergency support grants to States and to local governments to coordinate budget-related actions by such governments with Federal government efforts to stimulate economic recovery. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of making such grants $500,000,000, plus such additional sums as are warranted according to the formula set forth in this Act for the twelve calendar quarters following any calender quarter during which the seasonally adjusted national unemployment exceeds six percent. States that no appropriations are authorized for grants for any calender quarter if the national unemployment rate did not exceed six percent during the most recent calendar quarter which ended three months before the beginning of such calendar quarter. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury shall reserve one-third of the authorized funds for distribution to State governments and two-thirds of such funds to local governments. Directs the allocation of assistance to State governments. States that State allocations would be made two-thirds on the basis of unemployment and one-third on the basis of its adjusted taxes. States that in each case, the particular State's unemployment (in numbers) and its taxes raised would be compared to national totals with the unemployment percentage weighted double. Provides for allocations to local governments which would be made according to the same formula as for State governments: two parts unemployment and one part adjusted taxes raised. States that the Secretary shall allocate funds for the purpose of making emergency support grants to each identifiable local government. Specifies that grants under this program should be used for the maintenance of basic services ordinarily provided by the State and local governments and that State and local governments shall not use funds received under this Act for the acquisition of supplies and materials or for construction unless essential to maintian basic services. Establishes an application procedure for State governments and identifiable local governments eligible to receive assistance. Requires that each application shall: (1) include the applying government's program for maintenance, to the extent practicable, of levels of employment and basic services that it customarily provides; (2) in the case of a State government, provide assurance that it will not reduce the total amount of financial assistance, in dollars, which it provides to local governments within its boundaries; (3) provide that necessary fiscal control and fund accounting procedures will be established to assure proper disbursal, and accounting for Federal funds paid to State and local governments under this Act; (4) provide that reasonable reports will be furnished as the Secretary of Treasury may require and that the Secretary of Treasury has access to the records he needs to verify those reports; (5) provide that the nondiscrimination requirements of this legislation will be complied with; (6) provide that the labor standards and wage requirements of this Act will be compiled with; (7) provide that requirements that governments receiving assistance under this Act report tax changes and changes in levels of services provided to the Secretary of the Treasury be complied with; and (8) provide that all funds recived under this Act be expended by the recipient State or local government within 12 months of the time it is received. Provides that applications for payment of funds to other local governments shall be filed by the States. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to approve any application which meets the requirements of this Act within 30 days and not finally disapprove, in whole or in part, any application for an emergency support grant under this Act without first affording the State or local government reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, or sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program of activity funded in whole or in part with employment made available under this Act. Provides that in any case where the Secretary of the Treasury makes a finding of discrimination by a State or local government and is unable to to achieve compliance within 30 days, he is specifically authorized to defer payment to the discriminating jurisdiction unless compliance is achieved. Requires that laborers and mechanics employed by contractors on all substantial repair renovation construction programs funded under this Act be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar projects in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor under the Davis-Bacon Act. Directs that each State or local government which receives a grant under this Act shall report to the Secretary, within 30 days, any increase or decrease in any tax which it imposes and substantial reductions in employment levels or in services which that jurisdiction provides. Gives the Secretary of the Treasury the authority to make payments from the funds autnorized under this Act. Allows payments to be made in installments in advance or by way of reimbursement, with necessary adjustments on account of overpayments and underpayments. Provides that no funds be paid to any State or local government under this Act for any calendar quarter if the unemployment rate within that juriddiction during the previous calendar quarter was less than six percent. Requires the Secretary of Treasury to withhold funds from any jurisdiction which fails to comply substantially with any of the provisions set forth in the application it submitted for funds under this Act. States that funds will continue to be withheld until the Secretary of Treasury is satisfied that compliance has been achieved. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report as soon as practical after the end of each calendar quarter on the implementation of the program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to prescribe such rules as may be necessary to carry out this Act. Provides the Secretary of the Treasury with the authority to use services and facilities of any agency of the Federal Government and of any other public agency or institution in accordance with appropriate agreements and to pay for such services either in advance or by way of reimbursement as may be agreed upon.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Provides that it shall be unlawful for any business enterprise or person acting on behalf or in the interest of a business enterprise to coerce, or attempt to coerce, by economic means another person, to fail to do business with, or to otherwise discriminate against any U.S. person, or any foreign person with respect to its activities in the United States, by reason of: (1) the religion, race, national origin, or sex of such U.S. or foreign person; or (2) direct or indirect support for any foreign government when such support is not in violation of U.S. laws. Prescribes a penalty of a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for not more than three years, or for violation of such provision. Prescribes a fine not to exceed $1,000,000 if the violator is any person other than an individual. Allows any person aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition against economic coercion to bring a suit in an appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy. States that such person may recover threefold actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Permits the Attorney General to institute an action in an appropriate district court to collect a civil penalty against any person who practices prohibited economic coercion. States that the penalty shall not exceed $50,000 if imposed upon an individual, or not more than $500,000 if imposed upon any person other than an individual. Makes it unlawful for a person to violate this Act by exercising coercion through a foreign government or a business enterprise not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. States that whoever violates such provision shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50,000 if an individual, or not to exceed $500,000 if any person other than an individual. Defines terms used in this Act, including "persons", and states that such term shall include a corporation, trust, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, fund, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should assess the situation in the drought-stricken areas where many people are suffering from malnutrition and are in grave danger of dying from malnutrition; (2) the President should report to Congress such recommendations as he determines to be appropriate to alleviate the malnutrition in such areas; and (3) the appropriate committees of Congress should give priority to any such recommendations of the President so as to expedite the response of the United States to the malnutrition problems in such areas.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1975
Provides, under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income Benefits) of the Social Security Act, for the payment of supplementary housing allowances in an amount up to $600 to recipients of supplemental security income benefits whose annual housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1975
Provides that it shall be unlawful for any business enterprise or person acting on behalf or in the interest of a business enterprise to coerce, or attempt to coerce, by economic means another person, to fail to do business with, or to otherwise discriminate against any U.S. person, or any foreign person with respect to its activities in the United States, by reason of: (1) the religion, race, national origin, or sex of such U.S. or foreign person; or (2) direct or indirect support for any foreign government when such support is not in violation of U.S. laws. Prescribes a penalty of a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for not more than three years, or for violation of such provision. Prescribes a fine not to exceed $1,000,000 if the violator is any person other than an individual. Allows any person aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition against economic coercion to bring a suit in an appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy. States that such person may recover threefold actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Permits the Attorney General to institute an action in an appropriate district court to collect a civil penalty against any person who practices prohibited economic coercion. States that the penalty shall not exceed $50,000 if imposed upon an individual, or not more than $500,000 if imposed upon any person other than an individual. Makes it unlawful for a person to violate this Act by exercising coercion through a foreign government or a business enterprise not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. States that whoever violates such provision shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50,000 if an individual, or not to exceed $500,000 if any person other than an individual. Defines terms used in this Act, including "persons", and states that such term shall include a corporation, trust, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, fund, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1975
Provides that pension or annuity plans to qualify for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code shall provide for payments to the participant's survivor beginning on the earliest date that the participant could have collected annuity benefits under such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1975
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000 shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1975
Restores citizenship fully and unconditionally to persons who renounced or otherwise lost American nationality because of opposition to American military action in Indochina, upon petition to any district court of the United States. States that any such petition shall include a sworn statement by the petitioner that the loss of nationality resulted from action taken solely or partially because of the petitioner's opposition to the involvement of the United States in military activity in Indochina.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1975
Directs the Secretary of State to furnish to the House of Representatives the following information: (1) specific diplomatic initiatives carried out by the United States in response to Cambodians seizure of the United States merchant ship Mayaguez and its crew; (2) what diplomatic initiatives are known to have been carried out by Cambodia and other parties in respect to such seizure; (3) what specific diplomatic options were considered and rejected by the National Security Council; (4) what United States covert actions and intelligence gathering activities were conducted in or over or from off the shore of Cambodia prior to the seizure of the Mayaguez; and (5) what communications have occurred to date between the United States and Thailand regarding the use of Thai territory in conjunction with the United States military action to secure the release of the Mayaguez and its crew?
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1975
Directs the President to furnish to the House of Representatives to following information: (1) the sequence of events in the United States response to Cambodia's seizure of the United States merchant ship Mayaguez and its crew; (2) military and diplomatic action carried out by Cambodian and other parties with respect to seizure of the Mayaguez; (3) the specific military and diplomatic options considered by the National Security Council in seeking the release of the ship and its crew; (4) what consultations were carried out between the President and Congress; (5) what if any military action had been ordered by the United States Armed Forces with respect to the Mayaguez incident before the Secretary General of the United Nations was asked to give diplomatic assistance; (6) specifics concerning the intelligence information and military actions by the United States; (7) if known, the exact position and course of the Mayaguez when it was seized; (8) what covert and intelligence activities were conducted in or over or from off the shores of Cambodia subsequent to the Khmer Rouge take over in April 1975; (9) what warning, if any, was issued to the United States merchant marine prior to the seizure of the Mayaguez; (10) under what authority of law were the United States Armed Forces used to secure the release of the Mayaguez and its crew; and (11) what steps were taken to insure the accuracy of the various announced casualty figures relating to the Mayaguez rescue operation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1975
Expresses the finding of Congress that in recessionary periods, a loan guarantee authority in the Federal Government is necessary to enable local governments to maintain a sound fiscal structure. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide authority for loan guarantees to units of government to meet temporary and urgent fiscal requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee loans made by any financial institution to units of local government to assist that unit of government to meet temporary and urgent financial needs. Requires the Secretary to determine before guaranteeing any loan that such loan: (1) is necessary; (2) is not otherwise available; and (3) carries reasonable assurance of repayment. Directs the Secretary to require governments receiving guarantees to develop a balanced budget and a long-range financial planning program. Limits the amount of loans to any unit of government which may be guaranteed in any one year to $500,000,000 unless the Secretary submits a proposal for a larger guarantee to Congress and neither house takes any negative action on such proposal within thirty calendar days. Limits the total amount of loan guarantees under this Act to $5,000,000,000. Establishes a loan guarantee fund within the Treasury. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund such amounts as may be necessary to provide requisite capital. Authorizes the Secretary to use the proceeds of the sale of securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act to cover guarantees in case there is an insufficient amount in the fund. Creates a Loan Guarantee Policy Board to establish policies governing the granting of guarantees. Authorizes all Federal Reserve Banks to act as fiscal agents of the government in making guarantees. Provides for the termination of all authority under this Act one year after the date of enactment or upon the establishment of an Emergency Loan Guarantee Corporation. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on all operations under this Act within one year of enactment. Requires the report to contain the Secretary's recommendations with respect to the establishment of an Emergency Loan Guarantee Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1975
Provides that recipients of aid or assistance under the aid to families with dependent children, child welfare services, and Medicaid programs, and participants in the Headstart, Follow-Through, and Foster Grandparent programs, will not have the amount of such aid or assistance reduced, or entitlement to such aid, assistance, or participation discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1975
Declares under the Food Stamp Act that in determining the eligibility of any household that the part of any monthly insurance benefit provided by title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act received by an individual shall be disregarded to the extent that it equals a cost-of-living increase in benefits under such program occurring after 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1975
Expands the size of Redwood National Park in the State of California. Requires management of the Park to emphasize protection of the resources downstream from the watershed.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1975
Fair Marketing of Petroleum Products Act - Prohibits refiners or distributors of petroleum products from canceling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise, or unless such refiner or distributor withdraws entirely from the sale of refined petroleum products in commerce for sale other than resale in the United States. Sets forth procedural and jurisdictional requirements for suits brought as result of violation of this Act. Prohibits a person who is a major market shareholder from commencing or expanding the operation of any distributorship or retail establishment whose personnel are under the control of such major market shareholder or entity controlled by such major market shareholder. Provides that any corporation which knowingly violates such prohibition on marketing expansion shall upon conviction be fined in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act - Title I: Procurement - Authorizes the appropriation of funds in specified amounts for the fiscal year 1976 and the period ending September 30, 1976 for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, tracked vehicles and other weapons. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes the appropriation of funds in specified amounts for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States for research, development, test and evaluation for the fiscal year 1976 and the period ending September 30, 1976. Title III: Active Forces - Authorizes an end strength for active duty personnel of named units of the Armed Forces. Title IV: Reserve Forces - Directs the Selected Reserve of each Reserve component of the Armed Forces to be programmed to attain specified average strengths. Provides for reductions in such strengths. Title V: Civilian Personnel - Authorizes an end strength for civilian personnel in the Department of Defense for specified fiscal years. Title VI: Military Training Student Loads - Sets an average military training student load for each component of the Armed Forces for specified fiscal years. Title VII: General Provisions - Provides that this Act may be cited as the "Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976/1977."
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Expresses the finding of Congress that in recessionary periods, a loan guarantee authority in the Federal Government is necessary to enable local governments to maintain a sound fiscal structure. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide authority for loan guarantees to units of government to meet temporary and urgent fiscal requirements. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee loans made by any financial institution to units of local government to assist that unit of government to meet temporary and urgent financial needs. Requires the Secretary to determine before guaranteeing any loan that such loan: (1) is necessary; (2) is not otherwise available; and (3) carries reasonable assurance of repayment. Directs the Secretary to require governments receiving guarantees to develop a balanced budget and a long-range financial planning program. Limits the amount of loans to any unit of government which may be guaranteed in any one year to $500,000,000 unless the Secretary submits a proposal for a larger guarantee to Congress and neither house takes any negative action on such proposal within thirty calendar days. Limits the total amount of loan guarantees under this Act to $5,000,000,000. Establishes a loan guarantee fund within the Treasury. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund such amounts as may be necessary to provide requisite capital. Authorizes the Secretary to use the proceeds of the sale of securities issued under the Second Liberty Bond Act to cover guarantees in case there is an insufficient amount in the fund. Creates a Loan Guarantee Policy Board to establish policies governing the granting of guarantees. Authorizes all Federal Reserve Banks to act as fiscal agents of the government in making guarantees. Provides for the termination of all authority under this Act one year after the date of enactment or upon the establishment of an Emergency Loan Guarantee Corporation. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on all operations under this Act within one year of enactment. Requires the report to contain the Secretary's recommendations with respect to the establishment of an Emergency Loan Guarantee Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain a program by which the Department of Agriculture collects, prepares, makes available, and distributes information regarding the establishment and operation of farmers' markets and the potential of such markets for increasing the income of small farmers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make available horticultural and marketing materials to small farmers; (2) obtain existing materials concerning farmers' markets, prepare new materials, and make available such materials to interested parties; and (3) conduct, or contract for, specified research. Defines "farmers' market" as any marketplace where at least 10 farmers congregate for the purpose of selling their agricultural commodities directly to consumers in a manner designed to lower the cost of food for the consumers while providing an increased income to the farmers. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should assess the situation in the drought-stricken areas where many people are suffering from malnutrition and are in grave danger of dying from malnutrition; (2) the President should report to Congress such recommendations as he determines to be appropriate to alleviate the malnutrition in such areas; and (3) the appropriate committees of Congress should give priority to any such recommendations of the President so as to expedite the response of the United States to the malnutrition problems in such areas.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1975
New Homestead Act - Provides that in the case of any farm purchase loan to any person who is (1) a nonowner-operator of a farm or (2) an owner-operator of a farm who is not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, the Secretary of Agriculture may make or insure any such loan up to $100,000 or 90 percent of the value of the farm being purchased, whichever is greater. States that the repayment of any farm purchase loan by any person who was at the time of such loan a nonowner-operator of a farm or an owner-operator of a farm, but not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, shall, upon the request of such person at the time the loan is made or insured, be made as follows: (1) during the first twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the first month after the loan is made and during each of the next fourteen twelve-month periods, one-eightieth of the total amount to be financed including interest; and (2) (A) during each of the next twenty-five twelve-month periods, one twenty-fifth of an amount equal to the total amount to be financed including interest minus the amount paid pursuant to paragraph (1); or (B) at the close of the fifteenth twelve-month period, the balance of the principal plus an amount of interest which would have been due and payable during the first fifteen twelve-month periods had the forty-year loan been paid in four hundred and eighty equal installments; except that the balance of the loan shall become due and payable if such farm or any interest therin is transferred without the approval of the Secretary to any person ineligible for a loan. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1975
Provides that the excise tax on the net investment income of a private foundation imposed under the Internal Revenue Code shall not apply to a private foundation organized and operated exclusively as a library or museum or similar educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1975
Railroad Right-of-Way Improvement Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to provide, during times of high unemployment, assistance to create employment opportunities in rebuilding the Nation's railroad rights-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance during times of high unemployment for the purpose of providing employment for unemployed and under employed persons in jobs maintaining or rebuilding railroad rights-of-way. Authorizes, for such purposes, appropriations of $500,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires such funds be expended only for wages and employment benefits. Prohibits further obligation of such funds to be made subsequent to a determination by the Secretary that the rate of national unemployment (seasonally adjusted) has receded below 4.5 percent for three consecutive months. Requires applications for financial assistance for a railroad right-of-way employment program to contain specified assurances. Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1975
Provides that it shall be unlawful for any business enterprise or person acting on behalf or in the interest of a business enterprise to coerce, or attempt to coerce, by economic means another person, to fail to do business with, or to otherwise discriminate against any U.S. person, or any foreign person with respect to its activities in the United States, by reason of: (1) the religion, race, national origin, or sex of such U.S. or foreign person; or (2) direct or indirect support for any foreign government when such support is not in violation of U.S. laws. Prescribes a penalty of a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for not more than three years, or for violation of such provision. Prescribes a fine not to exceed $1,000,000 if the violator is any person other than an individual. Allows any person aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition against economic coercion to bring a suit in an appropriate U.S. district court without regard to the amount in controversy. States that such person may recover threefold actual damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Permits the Attorney General to institute an action in an appropriate district court to collect a civil penalty against any person who practices prohibited economic coercion. States that the penalty shall not exceed $50,000 if imposed upon an individual, or not more than $500,000 if imposed upon any person other than an individual. Makes it unlawful for a person to violate this Act by exercising coercion through a foreign government or a business enterprise not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. States that whoever violates such provision shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50,000 if an individual, or not to exceed $500,000 if any person other than an individual. Defines terms used in this Act, including "persons", and states that such term shall include a corporation, trust, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, fund, or any organized group of persons whether incorporated or not.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Provides that appointments, promotions, assignments, and transfers within the Federal civil service shall be made without regard to political recommendations. Prohibits Members of Congress, State and local elected officials, officials of political parties, and any other individual or organization from making recommendations with respect to any person being considered for appointment, transfer, promotion, or assignment. Prohibits officers or employees of the United States from soliciting, considering, or accepting such recommendations. Authorizes any officer or employee of the United States to solicit or furnish a statement with respect to a person if: (1) it is furnished pursuant to a request or requirement of the executive agency concerned and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of such person; (2) it relates solely to the character and residence of such person; (3) it is furnished pursuant to a request made by an authorized representative of the United States solely in order to determine whether such person meets the loyalty, suitability, and character requirements for employment with the United States; or (4) it is furnished by a former employer of such person pursuant to a request of the executive agency concerned, and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of such person during his employment with such former employer. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 3303)
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Calls for the bipartisan congressional leadership to create a solution to the short-term financial plight of New York City. States that the leadership shall seek the cooperation of New York City and State, major New York banks, the Federal Reserve Board and the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Provides, under the Foreign Military Sales Act, that no letter of offer to sell any defense articles or services under such Act may be issued until the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement required by such Act is transmitted, unless the President in his statement certifies that an emergency exists which requires such sale in the national security interests of the United States. States that the President may issue such letter of offer thirty days after the statement has been so transmitted unless, before the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement is transmitted, Congress adopts a concurrent resolution disapproving the proposed sale, credit sale, or guaranty with respect to which the statement is made. Specifies the procedures by which such a resolution shall be considered by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Santa Moncia Mountains and Seashore Urban National Park in the State of California. Specifies which lands shall be included within the boundaries of the Park. Requires the Secretary to identify lands which should be acquired to achieve the purposes of this Act. States that with respect to improved properties, the Secretary shall not acquire fee title unless he determines that such property is being used, or is threatened with uses, which are detrimental to the purposes of this Act. Defines "improved property" as property on which a detatched single family dwelling is located or property developed for agricultural uses. Permits owners of improved properties to retain a right of use and occupancy for a definite term of up to 25 years. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and to the Committees on Appropriations of the United States Congress a detailed program identifying the lands selected and the annual acquisition program which he recommends for the ensuing five fiscal years. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with local government in establishing zoning laws or ordinances which will assist of achieving the purposes of this Act. Establishes the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashores Urban National Park Advisory Commission, to be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary for terms of three years each. Directs the Secretary to meet at least annually with the Commission to consult on general policies and specific matters related to planning, administration, and development affecting the park. Authorizes specific appropriations of up to $500,000 for the development of needed public facilities. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense, in administering Public Law 94-11 which appropriates foreign assistance for fiscal year 1975, include in the $300,000,000 foreign military credit sales appropriated to assist the State of Israel, F-15 fighter planes, electronic countermeasures, and other sophisticated weapons necessary to insure the continued viability of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Provides that the Sequoia National Game Refuge shall become part of the Sequoia National Park, and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the new area. States that nothing in this Act shall terminate or impair any private right in permits or property in the Game Refuge.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that no bill or report of a committee or conference be considered unless copies of such are available to Members at least four hours before consideration. Directs that it shall not be in order for the Speaker to entertain a request for the suspension of the provisions of this clause.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Imposes, under the Small Business Act, a moratorium on the repayment of principal and interest on specified loans made by the Small Business Administration for a period of two years or until such time as the President determines that the United States is no longer in a period of economic recession.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Requires retail and wholesale food concerns authorized to accept food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to offer informational materials and application forms to customers. Requires States: (1) to provide an opportunity to receive and file an application for participation in the food stamp program to any person on the same day of such person's first reasonable attemp to make an oral or written request for food stamp aid; and (2) to complete the certification of all eligible households and provide an authorization-to-purchase card not later than thirty days after such an initial attempt to request assistance. Provides that all eligible households in areas of substantial or persistant unemployment shall be immediately certified for food stamps upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Provides for the payment by the United States of reasonable attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of the accused in criminal cases where the ultimate disposition is other than a conviction, unless the court determine that such payment would not be in the interest of justice.
![Official portrait of Rep. Holtzman, Elizabeth [D-NY-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000752_200.jpg)